Key lock



May 5, 1925. 1,536,240

5. SODERQFJIST KEY LOCK Filed Jan. 2Q 1923 Patented May 5, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,536,240 PATENT OFFICE.

EDVARD SODERQUIS'I', OF NEWHALEM CAMP, ROCKPORT, WASHINGTON.

KEY LOCK.

Application filed January 20, 1923. Serial No. 613,914.

TdaZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDVARD SODERQUIST,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Newhalem Camp, Rockport, inthe county of VVhatcom and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key Locks, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in a device for looking a key in a key hole to prevent an unauthorized person from removing the key from the look from the exterior of the door.

With this conception in mind, the invention primarily consists of a key lock having a part adapted to be inserted with a key ina key hole, in combination with a slidable locking element, which is adapted to cooperate with the finger gripping portion of a key to prevent a turning thereof, which turning would cause the bit of the key to line up with the opening and permit the, same to be shifted fromthe lock by an un authorized person.

In carrying out my invention, several modified forms of apparatus may be successfully employed, but in each of these.

modifications I utilize a sliding locking element that is moved outwardly for the purpose of locking the key against rotation.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 represents a-view of one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail view of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is a view of a modified form;

Figur 5 is a section on line 55 of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a sectional vie-w on line 66 of Figure 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts, the numeral 1 designates a lock having the usual key holes 3 extending from the front and rear of said lock. Th lock may be of any conventional type. In the present disclosure, the lock is provided with an elongated key 4 having the usual lock operating means at one end, and a turn handle 5 at the opposite end. It is recognized that when doors are locked from the inside, it is possible to shift the key so that the lock operating part will line up with the opening, and by the use of certain tools, this key may then be ejected from the key hole. When the key has been thus removed, it is possible for an unauthorized person, by the use of skeleton keys or the like, to open the lock.

To prevent a turning of the key when the same is inserted in the lock, I have provided a key guard or locking device, which, in the constructions shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, embodies a housing portion 6 having curved ends 7 adapted to fit around the shank of the key. The body is preferably constructed of a single piece of brass or other metal, and is of a formation which permits the same to be inserted in the key hole with the key, so that it is firmly supported by the walls of the key hole. Surrounding the body I provide a slidable locking element 8, preferably constructed of brass or similar material, and "composed of a single piece of metal folded so that the looped end extends over and around the looped end 7 of the housing. This locking element 8 is provided with forwardly projecting extensions 9 at each side thereof, preferably formed by bending the metal out of which the locking device is made, and when this locking element is shifted'rearwardly on the body, the

extensions 9 lie in the path of the turning movement of the handle of the finger gripping portion 5 of the key when said portion has been shifted to a horizontal position, and

thereby prevent a turning of the key. It is" obvious that any movement of the key would be resisted by the extensions 9 which con tact with the finger gripping portion 5 of the key, and it would therefore be impossible to properly line up the locking operating portion of the key to permit the key to be bodily ejected. The locking element has the necessary limited sliding'mo'vement on the body 6, a suitable lug 9 riding in a slot 9 in this element limiting the movement thereof and preventing a separation of the locking element from the body.

In Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, I have shown a slightly modified form of my locking device. In these figures there is illustrated a body 10 substantially the same as the body 6. This body is constructed from a single piece of metal, and is folded so as to provide portions to receive the shank of a key and to enable the body to fit within the key hole. To hold the disconnected upper ends of the body together, a metallic embracing part 11 is employed, the same being constructed of a single piece of metal and bent very similar to the body 10,

the embracing-g element and. the body 10, however, being'arranged so that the looped end of one overlies, or is adjacent to, the separated ends of the other.

The body 10 is also formed with a guide way 12 extending therethrough, and with a vertical slot 13 penetrating said guide way.

Disposed within theguide way is a sliding lock or latch member 14 formed with a suitable shank and the outstanding shoulders 15. The locking element is constructed of a single piece of metal rebent in the manner shown in Fig. 4. Inthe shank of this element there is provided a vertical slot 16 entering a horizontal slot 17. To permit the locking element to have a sliding movement, yet to prevent displacement thereof, a cross pin 18iis disposed within. the slot 13 in the housing 10, the said cross pin riding within the-horizontal slot 17 in the slidable locking element. It .is initially placed in position by passage throughthe vertical slot 16, but when in proper position, merely permits the looking element to have a sliding movement the length .of the horizontal slot therein, which is sutlicie'nt in the operation of the device.

When this modified form is in use, the body or housing, surrounds the shank of the key, and akey, with a portion of this body, enters the key way. hen a key has been turned to lock the door, then a sliding locking member 14 is moved outwardly so that it lies beneath the enlarged portion of the key. This will prevent any turning of the key, so that a key cannot be ejected from the look from the outsideby an unauthorized person. When the key isto be turned, it is only necessary to push the locking element 14 inwardly until the enlarged portion of the key no longer engages it during its rotary movement. The device is preferably united to the key rather permanently, but, of course, can be removed at any time desired.

Having thus-described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A locking device of the character described, comprising a housing adapted to surround the shankof a key, a locking element slidably supported by said housing and movable relative thereto, said locking element when in an offset position being adapted to prevent aturning movement of a key, but when forced inwardly, permitting said key to be turned.

2. A key locking device comprising a housing adapted to surround the shank of a key and enter a key hole with said key, a slidable locking element carried by said housing, said housing being formed to receive the key to permit a turning movement thereof when the locking element is in an inoperative position, said locking element when in an operative position being adapted to lie adjacent an enlarged portion of the key to prevent turning thereof.

3. A key locking device, comprising ahousing composed of a single blank of metal having rebent portions with a socket formed therein adapted to receive theshank of a key, a. locking element slidably embracing said housing and supported thereby, means for limiting the sliding'movement of said element, said locking element when in an operative position being adapted to lie in the path of movement of an enlarged portion of the key to prevent turning thereof, but when in an inoperative position to permit a free turning of the key.

4. A key locking device, comprising a housing composed of a single blank of metal having rebent portions with a socket formed therein adapted to receive the shank of a key, a locking element slidably embracing said housing and supported thereby, means for limiting the sliding movement of said element, said locking element when in an operative position being adapted to lie in the path of movement of an enlarged portion of the key to prevent turning thereof, but when in an inoperative position to permit a free turning of the key, said locking element being composed of a single blank of metal having enlarged shoulders projecting from the sides thereof.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

EDVARD SODERQUIST. 

